What advertising character became the central face of McDonald's in the 1960s?

Ronald McDonald became the central advertising character of McDonald's in the 1960s.

Ronald first appeared in a local Washington, D.C., commercial in 1963, portrayed by television personality Willard Scott. McDonald's later developed the character into a nationally recognized clown associated with children, family visits, and the company's restaurant world.

His rise changed McDonald's branding from a focus mainly on speed and product presentation toward a more imaginative family-oriented identity. Ronald was eventually joined by characters such as Grimace, the Hamburglar, Birdie, and Mayor McCheese in the fictional McDonaldland setting.

Speedee remained important to the chain's earlier history, but Ronald became the better-known public mascot. The character's costume, supporting cast, and advertising role evolved over time, so the earliest Ronald does not look exactly like later versions.